Coast Guard cross commission

ikemiester

ikemiester

5-Year Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2011
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Hey, I've been looking into cross commissioning to the USCG and I was wondering if I'm a cadet already at USAFA how would I go about doing that. Thanks for any help
 
ikemiester said:
Hey, I've been looking into cross commissioning to the USCG and I was wondering if I'm a cadet already at USAFA how would I go about doing that. Thanks for any help
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It's very difficult to do, but not impossible.

(Remember, we are talking about a branch of the military with about the same number of active duty members as there are cops in the NYC police department).

I believe there was 1 last year (AFA to CG commission) and only because a CG billet slot held for a 2012 became available due to a late disenrollment.
 
Luigi59 said:
It's very difficult to do, but not impossible.

(Remember, we are talking about a branch of the military with about the same number of active duty members as there are cops in the NYC police department).

I believe there was 1 last year (AFA to CG commission) and only because a CG billet slot held for a 2012 became available due to a late disenrollment.
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Do you know where that AFA commissioned CG officer went? I can't imagine how difficult it would be for someone at AFA or USMA to report aboard to a ship without the amount of knowledge that CGA cadets get in navigation and deck watch officer skills
 
I had an 08 friend who was the daughter of a USCG officer... she tried to cross commission USCG but was told that it was not allowed due to USCG being DHS rather than DoD.

Things may have changed since then. Good luck.
 
SamAca10 said:
Do you know where that AFA commissioned CG officer went?
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I believe the AFA grad reported to a cutter on the East Coast.

I also understand that a few CGA grads wanted to cross commission into the Navy but were denied.
 
SamAca10 said:
Do you know where that AFA commissioned CG officer went? I can't imagine how difficult it would be for someone at AFA or USMA to report aboard to a ship without the amount of knowledge that CGA cadets get in navigation and deck watch officer skills
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I think the various services can train their people pretty excellent, regardless of background.

I have a USAFA classmate that's a Rear Admiral, USN...Navy SEAL, etc...
(Brian Losey)

He's done pretty good for a "zoomie" in our sister service.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Luigi59 said:
I believe the AFA grad reported to a cutter on the East Coast.

I also understand that a few CGA grads wanted to cross commission into the Navy but were denied.
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Interesting...Although I don't see why you would want to go from USCG to USN (at least for Cutterman/SWO stuff). The rotating navy officers here and those who had done the USN exchange program as LTJG's tell us that our quality of life is so much better.
 
It would be tough to do. Are you wanting to be a DWO or Engineer? From what I've seen of Ensign's with no CG experience (College to OCS, Direct Commission, etc) is that at best they are average. As an Ensign your main job is really to qualify and become an expert in your primary watch station and you will be compared against people who have a lot of experience and will qualify very quickly. Obviously you will have a division and collateral duties which your military experience will help you to perform well in but you will be playing catch up qualification-wise. If you go engineering you might have a better chance as their isn't much training on that at the Academy so everyone really starts from square one.

If you want it bad enough and are willing to struggle a little then I would say go for it. Just realize that your evals will probably be middle of the road which might impact your second tour options.
 
I hate to bump an old thread but I'm new here and it won't let me message anybody so here goes...

I am also a current USAFA cadet who is looking at Coast Guard options. I have no idea about how the Coast Guard Direct Commission programs function in coordination with USAFA so I have questions about two of the programs:

1) Direct Commission Aviation program: Is it as I imagine, that as an active duty Air Force pilot it is incredibly difficult to get the signed DD368 (conditional release)? For example, could this be a realistic option for a newly-pinned AF Captain? My thought process here being that ~4-5 years of service earns experience flying and gives time for a few tours abroad.

2) Direct Commission Selective School: Can someone who takes this program go into aviation? Also, is it possible to get the signed DD368 in this case; that is, as a newly commissioned 2Lt? This would essentially be a cross-commission as I see it.

Finally, where can I find more resources about this? Is there anybody (augmenting the CG recruiter, of course) who I can talk to that has experience with these programs?
 
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